Ricky Glenn (22-6-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) will once again wear the underdog cape when he meets Grant Dawson (17-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at UFC Vegas 41 on Oct. 23.
Glenn is used to being at plus money when the sharps in Las Vegas release their betting odds. Glenn finds himself at +240 on many books, making Dawson a considerate betting favorite entering their lightweight bout. “The Gladiator” isn’t fazed by oddsmakers’ opinions, however.
“I love the underdog motivation,” Glenn told MMASucka. “I feel like I’ve been the underdog my whole life. I love proving people wrong.”
Dawson previously told MMASucka he plans to be the first to finish Glenn in the UFC. Glenn, in turn, is aiming to be the first to beat Dawson inside the Octagon and is embracing the challenge.
“He seems like a good up-and-comer,” Glenn said of Dawson. “Scrappy, tough, Midwestern type of guy. He’s got a lot of hype behind him, and I’m looking forward to fighting him.”
Glenn has cashed as an underdog before – multiple times. He was the first to defeat Gavin Tucker in professional competition when he took a wide decision against him in September 2017. His most recent bout saw him knock out Joaquim Silva in 37 seconds. He was also an underdog when he took a split decision over Dennis Bermudez.
Glenn said he “for sure” enjoys stopping fighters with hype, though he hasn’t paid much attention to what is being said on social media of Dawson’s ascent through the lightweight rankings. He does know Dawson was slated to fight Diego Ferreira before Ferreira had to pull out of the fight due to an injury.
Enter Ricky Glenn, who took the Dawson fight on three weeks’ notice.
After Glenn’s win over Silva on June 19, he quickly got back into the gym. When Ferreira pulled out of his fight with Dawson, Glenn was eager to step up.
“I put it out there, that, ‘Hey, this match-up is interesting to me, because [Dawson’s] original opponent was ranked No. 12.’ I’m looking to stay busy. I’ve been healthy and staying active with my training, so I’m getting a decent little training camp for it.”
Should Glenn defeat Dawson, he is looking for a top-15 fight of his own. He hopes that by the end of the year, he will have a fight booked against a ranked opponent. He doesn’t care who that is, though.
“The main person is whoever has that belt,” Glenn said. “That’s who everyone is coming for. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport, and I’m taking it one part at a time.”
Glenn’s only prediction for the bout against Dawson is that it will end with his hand being raised.
“Whatever he gives me, I’m going to take it.”
UFC Vegas 41 is set to go down from the UFC APEX on Oct. 23. It will air live on ESPN+.
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